snowblower help

[Matt1121]

TORO SNOWBLOWERS SUCK!

Any of you guys ever tried to change the plug on a toro snowblower? You need to take apart half the damn machine. Needless to say, after I got the plug and cleaned it up, it still wouldnt start. I cleaned it off with WD-40 and rub a little bit of sandpaper over it but still no luck.
(My landlord hasnt used the snowblower in 2 years)

Anyone know any tricks to getting this damn thing started??...Or should I just forget it and shovel for the 4th time

[SEAFARI]

Matt,
No spark= Bad points or condencer? I wonder
how many snow blowers and shovels Home Depot
sold this week [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Matt1121]

Hmmmm..

So you dont think the plug is bad and its the condenser or the points?

I don't know a lot about engines..so any help is appreciated.

[Jon G]

Ed if that sat for that long with out running the carb is probably all gummed up. Snow blowers sit for way to long. Usually after the last storm of the year they get pushed in the corner and sit there until the following year for the first snow storm of the year(I should know). I think I know which machine you have I used to use one and when it ran it was ok. I now use a Gravely two wheel tractor with a 50 year old snowblower atachment on it and its unstopable. If its gummed up it means it needs a carb rebuild and that means more shoveling [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

[SEAFARI]

Matt
A easy way check for spark is to hold the
metal ring on the plug lead about 1/8" away
from one of the cylinder head bolts with
insulated pliers. You should see a blue arc
when you turn the engine over. If you see
the arc, then the plug is bad. If you dont
you can try cleaning the points contacts
by folding a small piece of very fine sandpaper
and putting it between the contacts when they
are closed (TDC) and pulling the sand paper
out slowly a few times. If that doesn't work
I would get a new points/condencer kit for
few dollars.

Chris

[Matt1121]

Thanks gents. I pulled the plug out again and no spark.....the points must be bad and there is no access to them without tearing the machine apart.

Oh well. ...I just finished shoveling for the 9th time.

Hopefully, it will let up soon.

Thanks again.

Ed

[Billybob]

Matt - I know it's a little too late now, but we may still have some winter left.Those motors are real simple, I got an old Ariens for free cause it wouldn't run - and it kicks a** now.Get yourself a coil,set of points, and a carb kit.Pull the flywheel and replace the coil/points and then do the carb.That is really all there is to these engines barring any serious internal damage.

[Matt1121]

billybob-

Thanks for the tip. When my landlord gets back from Telluride, I am telling him to take the damn thing to shop for a tuneup.

Final tally for Boston was 29inches....I shoveled 4 times yesterday and again this morning. I eventually made it in to work at 11:00 am.

Beats sitting home watching Oprah, right?

[catman115]

matt1121..for what its worth..if you have spark.grab a can of starting fluid and spray some into the cylinder,reinstall the plug and pull..thats how i get mine started. works every time.